Chapter 642 - 420: This Is How She Repays Her

Chapter 642: Chapter 420: This Is How She Repays Her

Tying Yun Zhao’s entire life to him was too fragile a foundation. Emperors had always been fickle.

He didn’t have much faith in himself. His imperial father and mother had not been like that, but as their child, he had no idea what he himself would become in another ten years or so.

While their love was deep, he was willing to build a fortress for her and their son. That way, even if his heart were to wander in the future, Yun Zhao would still be able to stand firm.

The thought made Feng Yi chuckle.

’Look, this is human nature.’ To be an Emperor to the point of even doubting himself... he truly felt guilty before Yun Zhao. His feelings were real, but as for how long that reality would last, even he had no answer.

Song Yunzhao noticed the subtle shifts in Feng Yi’s expression. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the way he was looking at her was strange. ’Did I say something wrong? Was there a flaw in my argument?’

’Probably not.’

"You have a point." Feng Yi squeezed Yun Zhao’s hand. She trusted him so much; he shouldn’t let her down.

As for what might happen in ten years... given Yun Zhao’s jealous nature, it was unlikely any other beauty would ever be able to get close to him anyway. He was truly worrying for nothing.

At this thought, Feng Yi suddenly had an epiphany.

If he couldn’t even see other beauties, what other thoughts could he possibly have?

Song Yunzhao watched as Feng Yi suddenly burst out laughing, a laugh that sent a chill down her spine. ’What’s wrong with him?’

The confusion on Yun Zhao’s face must have been particularly vivid, because Feng Yi’s laughter grew even louder. Half-serious, half-joking, he asked, "In another eight or ten years, if someone tried to curry favor with me, what would you do?"

’Hm?’

’What does he mean by that?’

Song Yunzhao’s internal alarm bells started blaring, but her expression remained impassive. She replied with perfect composure, "The Emperor jests. This concubine is merely a concubine. What could I possibly do?"

’What’s this about eight or ten years? Whenever a man asks a question like that, it usually means his heart has already strayed.’

’Could it be that Feng Yi has his eye on some young lady?’

’Unlikely. When would he have the time for a chance encounter with a beauty?’

’Then who could it be?’

She knew the concubines in this harem very well; none of them had managed to connect with Feng Yi.

Her mind raced, but her face betrayed nothing as she listened to Feng Yi continue, "I was just asking casually. You used to say that if anyone tried to compete with you for me, you’d fight them to the death. Why the change of tune now? Could it be that now that you have Feng Ze, my position in your heart is no longer important?"

Song Yunzhao listened to Feng Yi’s attempt to turn the tables on her. ’Pah! If a man weren’t feeling guilty, why would he try to make me the target?’

’Anyone who makes a false counter-accusation is just trying to hide their own guilt.’

A genuine sense of displeasure now settled over Song Yunzhao. Her feelings for Feng Yi had been deepening these past few years, and for this damned man to suddenly pull something like this on her... it left a sour taste in her mouth.

Since Song Yunzhao was unhappy, she certainly wasn’t going to let Feng Yi have an easy time either. She immediately retorted in a sardonic tone, "What is the Emperor implying? What are you accusing me of? My parents will leave this world before me, and my children will leave my side after me. My parents have more than just me for a daughter, and my children will one day have their own partners. In my heart, only the person who shares my pillow is the most important. I placed all my trust in Your Majesty, only to be met with Your Majesty’s suspicion. If that’s the case, we don’t need to wait until we grow tired of each other in the future. We can just call it quits and go our separate ways right now."

Feng Yi hadn’t expected Yun Zhao to have such a temper. But seeing her flare up like this actually put his heart at ease. He quickly pulled her into his arms. "I was just asking casually. I didn’t mean to make you so angry. It’s all my fault. Don’t be angry, it’s bad for your health."

"Just asking casually? I’m afraid it was premeditated. If you really..."

"Really what? There’s nothing going on. Don’t let your imagination run wild. The court memorials are piling up like mountains. I’m so buried in state affairs that I can’t get away. Even the time I have to spend with you is getting shorter and shorter. I was just worried you’d be unhappy. Don’t overthink things."

"No matter how unreasonable I might be, I would never dare to interfere with important matters of the court."

"Yes, I know. That’s why I feel guilty and think I’ve wronged you."

"Really. More real than pure gold."

Feng Yi was starting to regret this. Here he was, with a rare moment to spend with Yun Zhao, and he had to go and stir up trouble. With Yun Zhao’s personality, she probably wouldn’t concede defeat even after fifty years.

He should be less worried about her and more worried about himself.

It took a great deal of coaxing to finally appease her. To show his sincerity, he carried her into the bed curtains and was exceptionally vigorous.

Song Yunzhao became even more convinced that Feng Yi had a guilty conscience. She raised her guard. She didn’t dare to imagine a lifetime of perfect love with Feng Yi, but for at least the next ten years, while she was in the prime of her beauty, she had no intention of sharing him.

Feng Yi was sound asleep beside her, but with this matter weighing on her mind, Yun Zhao found it hard to fall asleep.

Feng Yi had only started acting strangely after they ran into Xu Mingying today. ’Could it have something to do with her?’

’But that doesn’t seem right either. The way Feng Yi looked at Xu Mingying at the time wasn’t strange at all. Could something have happened during his northern inspection tour?’

’But there were no signs of anything when he first returned. It can’t be that after all this time, he’s suddenly remembered some neglected beauty, can it?’

Thinking it over, she felt it didn’t make any sense.

Song Yunzhao didn’t know how long she tossed and turned before she finally drifted into a heavy sleep. But her dreams were filled with the faces of various beauties, and she woke up feeling even more exhausted.

She had truly exhausted herself for nothing; her body was tired, but her mind was even more so.

Feng Yi had to attend the morning court session, so he rose and left early. Yun Zhao, deep in a heavy slumber, didn’t notice a thing. When she finally got up, in a rather foul mood, she had no appetite for breakfast.

After forcing down a few bites, Shizhu ran in. "Your Highness, Xu Ji has gone to Cuiwei Palace to bid farewell to Lady Shufei. Lady Shufei sent someone with a message, asking you to go over."

Hearing Shizhu mention Xu Ji, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but recall Feng Yi’s words from the previous day, and her expression immediately darkened.

She decided she would go and probe this Xu Mingying a little more.

Song Yunzhao changed her clothes, arranged her hair, and went to Cuiwei Palace. At the palace gates, she ran into Princess Consort Wan, who also looked a bit listless. She asked, "Sister Wan, what’s the matter?"

Princess Consort Wan replied weakly, "I didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m a little dizzy today."

Song Yunzhao was surprised she wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept well. But since Feng Yi had stayed at Yaohua Palace last night, she certainly couldn’t admit she hadn’t slept well either, lest people think she was showing off.

The thought of Feng Yi made Song Yunzhao grind her teeth in frustration.

The two of them entered Cuiwei Palace together. Seeing them, Consort Shu smiled and said, "Come in, have a seat. Xu Ji says she wishes to go to the Royal Temple for a short stay. She has already received the Emperor’s permission and has come to request a Token to leave the palace. I couldn’t make the decision on my own, so I had to ask you both to come."

Although Consort Shu was smiling, there was an icy coldness beneath her expression.

’What a fine Xu Ji,’ she thought. ’I helped her last time, and this is how she repays me.’

It would be a miracle if Consort Shu was happy about this!